After searching for many months I finally broke down and purchased a cross from the traditional Irish-American giftyshop. I took it apart and found the simple secret of the design. The process does wonderful things for busy fingers and is great with story telling!

11. Fold a new straw in half over all vertical straws from left to right and

snug up to center and to the right.

12. Repeat the process of rotating all straws (the entire assembly) 90 degrees

to the left and folding the new straw over until all straws have been used.

Remember: Hold tight to the center.

13. When the last straw has been used snug all straws to center being

careful to hold tight to the last straw folded.

14. Secure the last arm of the cross with a rubber band or if using rushesplatted straw or string. Then secure each other arm.

15. You may paint the drinking straws but be careful as wet paint will dissolvethe thin paper covering. Place rushes on a flat surface to dry. You may

wish to seal the rushes when dry with a paint of your choice.

This method produces a cross in a form which is much like the Eye of God and as such it brings to mind the antiquity of the Celtic Traditions of Ireland.

Materials:Two sticks and either rushes or wire or paper twist. Heavy gauge electrical wire (I use green!) makes for a great re-usable cross which can be re-constructed for each session.I start the cross and pass it through the class audience for completion.

1.Secure two sticks together at right angles.

(I use string or tape).

2.Pull rush or wire from center attachment

under the X in the top image over the top across the center to the left. Then under the bottom left

spoke then over the upper left spoke then curve back under it and continue in a clockwise direction (to the right). Ideally there should be a few inches of stick

remaining exposed on each spoke. It should

resemble a cross more than an eye of god...

(Source:Lettice Sanford Straw Work and Corn Dollies)

For some reason this method seems to be

more Archaic than method 1.

1.Tie nine straws together at their ends.

2.Spread them as shown with the tied end

facing down (three to the right and two each

other direction. (Image #1)

3.Fold the front straw of the three under the other two.(Image2)

4.Bring it up and over to be alongside the two at the nest corner.(Image3)